Wow! Venice is even more enchanting when you come here with the one you love! We are having a marvellous time in the most romantic city and kicked it off with making a dream come true. A gondola ride! It was something we have both wanted to do with the love of our life and so we didn't waste a moment. We hired our private gondolier and spent a magic 30minutes sliding thru the narrow canals, under bridges and past other happy travellers. We toasted 11 years married a few days early, but this was what we had been waiting for. It was a memorable moment and one I shall never forget!
Venice has so many charms...a floating museum of ancient crumbling buildings with rich facades, and bright striped poles in the water for boats to park out front. Its little pretty stone streets offer shade from the 30 degree heat and welcomes you into shops of every kind. And coffee shops and bars beckon you in for cappuccino and afternoon "cicata" which is a tapas style tasting at the counter of local delights like meatballs, little ham and cheese sandwiches and seafood. We pick out the kind we like and they serve it along with their homemade wine.
Our wandering has gotten us lost in Venice a few times but what a great place to be lost in. We have discovered several little scenic spots along the way for pictures, sitting and savouring the moments.
We did go to San Marco Square for a visit to the incredible church with amazing mosaics we have never imagined, and the obligatory pictures in the square with those pesky pigeons. But the art we are enjoying is at the Biennale. We bought two day passes to attend the bi-annual Art affair that brings 85 countries here to represent art in their own pavilions. It is like expo for art lovers. We found ourselves giggling with delight at some of the selfie art they invite you to participate in, suck as becoming a human sculpture and sticking your head in a leg lock (pictures to follow!) or standing under a semi truck which is balanced on its nose. This is all modern art and some is more exciting than others, but we are really enjoying the exhibition. Some of the exhibits are set up in tiny old churches that make the contradiction of the new so fascinating. Others are in pavilions in a big beautiful park that we wandered around away from the busy streets of Venice.
We have been getting around by Vaparetto here, the boats that taxi you all the way down the grand canal. It is a great way to travel and see the sights. One boat took us across the lagoon to the famous town of Murano, known for its glass art. I was on the hunt for goblets like my Grandma Esther once had. I remember drinking out of the bright ruby glasses on special occasions, the gold trim made it feel extravagant. But upon arriving in Murano discovered that the real Murano glass is very expensive....over €100 for one goblet. Yikes! Though they are beautiful I cheaped out and got a little red heart necklace instead. It is sad to say that 70% of the glass sold around Venice is actually Chinese and we are seeing a lot of knock off glass, masks and trinkets.
We are heading off to the Guggenheim Museum this morning and then to see more of the Biennale. Be prepared to see more pictures posted of us having a marvellous time...sorry to rub it in! Ciao!